By Anna Thompson

Will it be a case of Moore the merrier or Moores the pity?

One of the interesting sub-plots during England's Test series against West Indies, which starts at Lord's on Thursday, is the behind-the-scenes role of the two coaches, who share other similarities apart from their surnames.

Neither Peter Moores nor David Moore played Test cricket for their countries, England in Moores' case and Australia in Moore's case.

Moore and Moores gear up for their first matches in charge

Both were wicket-keepers during their first-class careers, with Moores taking more than 500 catches for Sussex, while Moore played for New South Wales where his under-19 team-mates included the Waugh twins and Mark Taylor.

Similar in age, Moores (44) and Moore (42), called time on their playing days at relatively young ages to pursue careers as coaches.

And they built up their reputations at academies - Moores as director of England's National Academy and Moore as senior coach of the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy (CBCA), which is seen as a finishing school for Australia's elite young cricketers.

Previously, Moores spent 13 years at Sussex, keeping wicket before becoming player-coach.

PETER MOORES Age: 44 Test caps: 0 First-class matches: 231 Honours: coaches Sussex to Div 2 title 2001 and Div 1 title in 2003

The England and Wales Cricket Board first highlighted his potential when he was asked to be England A coach for a tour in 2000-01 and in 2005 he took over from Rodney Marsh as director of the Academy.

Since he was installed as Duncan Fletcher's successor in charge of the national team - with the ECB maintaining he was the only contender - there has been nothing but glowing praise for Moores.

Chris Adams, who played under Moores at Sussex, said: "Peter is ideal for them. He is very adept at getting the best out of players and challenging them.

"More than any other coach I have worked with, he is prepared to create time and give up time to encourage and help players who want it.

"It will not be a 'softly' approach all the time - he will be very forthright."

DAVID MOORE Age: 42 Test caps: 0 First-class matches: 1 Honours: Coached NSW's Women's team to league title 2001

Moore on the other hand took a more studious route, working as a lecturer in personal development, health and physical development at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney.

He was initially appointed head coach of New South Wales' women's side and in 2001 led the team to victory in the National Cricket League.

Moore joined the CBCA in 2002 to work alongside Troy Cooley, the bowling coach who was later instrumental in helping England regain the Ashes from Australia in 2005, and Bennett King, who was West Indies coach until the end of the recent World Cup.

Moore was King's assistant during his two-year reign and was recommended to take over the job by his former boss.

He is seen as a forward-thinking coach, using the latest technology to provide specialist feedback to players.

"I hope that I can introduce new ways of looking at things and provide some extra insight into the way cricketers can set goals to improve," he said.

Moore chats to Sarwan during nets at Taunton

So which of them is under the most pressure?

Neither has had much time to prepare the players but Moore added: "From our point of view it's a fresh start. It's a good opportunity to move the team forward and we will be looking to all the players to perform at their best levels."

His England counterpart, meanwhile, can take comfort in a Test record which, the winter Ashes series part, has been impressive over the past three years.

England have put their faith in Moores as the man to deliver, while West Indies have all but said Moore is an acting coach until they find the right man.

But if he comes out on top in the series, both boards could have some serious re-thinking to do.